Hopper mechanism.



` I i 62 y I Bf :il`

R. L. WILGOX.

HOPPER MEOHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED APL?. 1910.

Patented Aug. 29, 1911` @Mix/www12 WITNESSESE f zo. A

f other things, to construct n device of this 'UNITED rsrexrnsd PATENT O'lilllCfE.

RICHARD LESTER WILCOX, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR '1'0 THE JVAKLER- BUBY FARREL FOUNDILY ANI) MACHINE COMPANY, OF 'WATERBURY. CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

HOYPER MECHANISM.

Application led April 7,

i the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in hopper mechanism, having particular reference to that type of hopper mechanism, wherein a plurality of blanks are-thrown 'indiscriminately into a receptacle, und are automatically delivered there -from in a continuous stream with all the successive blanks arranged with their Shanks substantially parallel with each other, and the heads in substantially the sume line.

It is the objcctof my invention, among 'characteigrwhereby the above, and other result-s, will be accomplished with mechanism that is of few parts, so designed to be economically constructed and readily lsembled; that will allow for the stoppage of the flow of blanks at the delivery point, Vwhen desired, without disturbing the opera i tion of the other parts of the hopper mecha.-

nisin; andhuve'means whereby the several ports may adjusted 'in relation to each l' other, and, arranged so that access may be had to the blanks between the-containing re- .ce taule-'and `the point of delivery.

o these, and other ends, -myy 'invention .consists in the hopper mechanlsm, having certaindetalls of construction, und combinations of; parts, as will .be hereinafter de` i' ,'.selj-bed, und more. particularly pointed out ,4 0 l inthe claims.

' to the'drawings, m which like i AReferring vnumerals o reference deslgnate like parts 1n the severalfigures;I Figure 1 is a side eleva- Ntion of my improveddevice; Fig. 2 is a '45.

i tional View upon line AeB of Fig. 1'; Fig,

plan' view thereof; Fig'.- 3 is a. transverse see if. 4 is" an enla'r ed View of the 4upper end of i means for' lateral adjustment 0f. the Chute v`the"clru-temec ionisni, wu.r a portion of the felearingj mechanism in sectiong. Fig. 5` is an .50"

enlarged' plan View ofthe lower end of the ute.. mechanism partly 'in section; F 1g. 6

'resumo view thereof upon une edn s 'Fi .i7 sr-intention of the ef e Speclcation of Letters Patent.

. Patented Ang. 29, 1.911..

1910. Serial No. 554.078.

plates at the receptacle end, with .sind platos in section upon line FWF of Fig'. Tl; hin. 8 is a. plan View of the cover hlm-.Ir and .so-inc of the parts adjacent thereto; Fig. l) is a side elevatitm partly in section of the hindeinechnnism; lfig. 1U un enlarged sectional view thereof upon line Grmll of liig. E); Fig. ll is an enlarged sectional View thin-Pof upon line 1-Jof Fig. t); Fig'. lf2 is an ole" vation of the journal block for the clearing shaft; and Fig. 18 is a plan View ofi the clearance whe l.

In the practice of my invention fl provide. a blank receptacle l that is preferably fronstructed of two separate sections seeurful together by screws 2 and 3, u. filler block -flbe- 'ing between the sections sii their rear end and a cover block 5 at lhe front ond. Movable withiii this' receptacle, und betrafen the sections thereof, is e hhnlc (S, which vis fixed to the arm 7 that is pivotally connected with the bracket 8 upon the stud U. lVlovcrnent is iniparted to this bladefron'i the geur 10, having a roll' ll. upon one sido thereof, which contacts with the lin leintetrel with the erin 7. Suid geur is rotatzihle upenn stud 1 3 mounted in the bracket 1.4, that is fixiad to the bed l5 of the uumhine, und to which the receptacle l is socurmi by the bolts 16. Rcturily .mounted in the bracket tl is a shaft 17, having a driving lpulley 18' thereon,

and e. pinion 19, the teeth of which mesh Separably secured to the blade 6, by the i screws 72, is the lifting plate E20, having the slot 21 in its upper edge, that isclosed nt the outer end (see Fig. 9). The top of this plate is flared inwardly for o portion of its length, forming the feces 22, and outwm'dl y for a portion' of its length, forming the faces 23. 'As the blade moves from 'the hottom of the receptacle l up through the mass of blanks, the said blanks lie onthe lifting plate at? various angles, some with their Shanks n the slot 21 and their heads resting upon the 4top edge thereof, which is the correct delivery position, some with their Shanks crosswise, `und others with, their4 Shanks lengthwise of said slot but prevented from entering it by reason oftheir contact with adjacent blanks, ete. The agitation ot the blanks in the receptacle, caused by the movement of the blade therethrough, re-

@movesson'ie of' these irregularly arranged tion of the lifter plate where the faces 23 flare outwardly.

The numeral 24 designates the chute u bracket which is adjustably secured to the receptacle 1 by the screw 25 that passes through the elongated-slot 26, and adjust-- able upon said bracket is the slide 27 which is secured thereto by the screw 28 that passes through the slot 29.

' cured to 'the several brackets and `slides :byj means of the screws 36, but any other means `Fixed tothe bracket 24 is the chute plate 30, and to .the slide27 the 'chute plate 31, said chute plates proj eeting intothe receptacle to the edge of the blade G, as shown'in Figs. 1 and 4. The outer ends of these chute plates are connected with a 'fixed' party32f upon the bed 15, throughthe brackets-.83, which have a lateral adjustment upon-v said fixedpart, by means of the screws 34 which project throughthe slots35 in said brackets, and are threaded into said.v fixed part. These chute plates are4 shown as being scmay be used if desired. An adjustableconneet-ion is made betweenl the brackets 33 by the screw' 37, which is held against endwise move-'ment upon one of the brackets 'by the collars 38 and 39 thereon, and threaded through the other bracket so that by rotation of the screw 37 either one or both of the brackets Will be caused to move 'toys-'ard and away fromeach other. The open space betweenv the chuteplates is' substantially the same width as the slot 21 and may be varied by moving said plates toward and away from eachotheiggthe inner end by adjustment ofthe slide 27 upon the bracket 24, and the outer' end by adjustment of the brackets 321toward and away from each other, as above deseribed. The lateral position. of

` these chute plates as a unit'may also be `varied. by shifting the bracket 24 upon the rece tacle 1, and the brackets 33 upon' lthe fixe part 32. Pivotally connected with the cover block 5 by th'epintle 40 is the cover 41,

which is supported at its ree end. by thel plate 42'secured to one of the chute plates by the stud 43 that projects throughthe slot 44 with a nut i5 thereon, and the stud 46'Whicl1 is tlrreadedthrgughsaid ctier with a jainb nut 47, a collar 48 and a thumb nut 49 there' on, said stud passing through the slot ,50 in I the plate 42. Said cover is positionedto' lie over the top of the open space between the plates 30 and 31, and 1s adjusted toward and 7e away from said plates at the receptacle end by manipulation of the screws 3, which ass through slots 5l in the .cover block, an .at the other 'end by shifting the position of the cover plate 42 so as to vary the distance be- 7 tween the bottomof the slot 50 therein and the top of vsaid chute plates.- The cover 4l may be moved out of its down osition to thereby expose the tops of the c ute plates .andthe blanks therein by loosening `v the thumb nut 49 and swinging said cover 4upon its pivot mounting to the position shown by broken lines in Figs. l and 3, it beingY held in this position by the clip 52 which is fixed to the block 5, and the fingers of which enter the recesses 53 in said cover. I have provided means for shutting oif the flow of' blanks from thechute, when desired forany n' ose, which means comprises a stop plate: that is adjustably-secured to the lixed p'rt 32, bythe screws 54, and'having a rh :ed inner end made by the angular face` In its inward position, shown in Figs. 2.and 5, the pointed end of said stop `1plate is-,inoved into and across the path of the blank between said chute plates vand stopsthe n'iovement of said blanks at the' deliveryy point without affecting the movement of any'bf the other parts connected with said hopper mechanism and without Waiting for 100 all of the blanks in the chute to -be dis- 'charged therefrom. l' It isappa'rent that in operation this device Will-pick the blanks ont of there'ceptacle and deliver them into the chute aran ed in proper order, that the feeding of said lanks` i can be stopped instantly, and thatl all of the il if parts are both adjustable'and accessible. ill Vith the mechanism above described it tis i,` practically impossible for a blank to entr.` 110 the chute without being arranged in proper order, .but for purposes oabun I.ant caution, and to absolutely insure thisfr` u'l,t, I have provided a clearing device to rei ove all improperly ararnged blanks. Thil 1 vice consists of a shaft 57 rotatable in'j'u'rnal blocks 58 and passing through o enings 59 in the sections of thereceptac e i f; a' A toothed Wheel 60 fixed vto'said shaft overthe ends of the guide plates 30 and 31, andv 'lavf 121) ing an annular oove 61 in the face the! com anion toot ed wheels 62 fixed to sha t 57 upon either side' of the toothed wheel 'l 60 and adjacent thereto; a plate 63 adjustably secured to the block 5, havlnga 'clearancefijnf 125 ger 64 thereon; which lies within the cove" 61 of the toothed wheel 60; a. sheavew ee1-65 fixed to said shaft, connected by a belt 566.. vwith ajsheave wheel 67 on the 'shaft 17; and

a 'hand whee1-71f fixed to the shaft"` 57 'fori 13f manually rotating the same. The journal 'blocks 58 are pivotally connected with the nism if the same is not in its proper posia'.

tion. If the blank lies at aright angle to the chute the toothed wheels 62 will lmock it 'from the chute back' .into the receptacle, and it the same liesl with its shank parallel with said chute the toothed wheels 60 will perform a similar function, and if, by any chance, a. blank should be picked up by any of these toothed wheels, the same will be cleared therefrom and dropped back4 into 'the receptacle by reason of the clearance plate 63 and linger 64.

There are minor changes and alterations that can be made withinmy invention, aside from those herein suggested, and I would therefore have it understood, that I co not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described, but claim all that falls fairly within the spirit and scope of the following -claiInsL Havingfi described my inventionIl what I claim as new, Vand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a hopper mechanism, the combina tion with n containing receptacle; of a blade mm'able therein, having a blank receiving slot therein, the edge of said blade Aadjacent to said slot laringinwardly from the outside thereof to said `slot for a portion of its length, and butwardly from said slot for a portion of its length.

2. In a hoppdr mechanism, the combina,-

ltibn with a containing receptacle; of a blade movable therein, having a slot therein, closed at one end, the edge of said blade adjacent. to said slot flaring inwardly near the closed' end of said slot, and outwardly from the termination of 'said inwardly lHaring portion to the other end of said blade.

'3. 4In a hopper mechanism, the combination with a containing receptacle; ofa chute mechanism having parallel members, one of said members being adjustably connected with said receptacle, and the other member adjiistably connected Withsaid first mem ber.

4, ln a hopper inechanis-the iombina tion with a containing receptacle; of aohiiie' A mechanism haringparallet members; and

means for adjusting said members in rela tion to said containing receptacle and tov Wheel;

12.1In a hopper mechanism, the combina` ward and away from each other at either or both ends.

5. In a hol'iper mechanism, the combination with a containing; receptacle; of a chiite mechanism having parallel members; means for connecting said n'iembers iofgjclhci.- and to said containing rccci'iiacic, so that ihc relative positions thereof may be varied tim'ard and away from cach` other and. as a iy'iit in relation to' said containingreceptacle.

G. In a'hopper mechanism, the combination with a containing receptacle; oi' achille bracket adjustahly connected with said rc ceptacle; a slide adjustably connected with said bracket; and plates connected with said bracket and slide.

7, In a hopper incirlmiiisiii, thi.l combina tion with a containing ,reife-placing ot a bracket adjustiiibiy connected with said rcceptacle; a slide adjustalily secured to said bracket; companion vbrackets adjustably se cured to a tired partij, means for moving said brackets toward and away from each other; and plates connected With said bracket, slides and companion brackets.

B ln a hopper mechanism, the combination with a containing receptacle; of a cover block adjustahly connected therewith; a

chute mechanism adjnstably' connected Withsaid receptacle; ,a cover pivote-ily connected with-said cover ble and means for separably and adj lista ly curing the free end of said cover to said chiite mechanism.

9. In a hopper mechanism, the combination, with a containing 'ieceptacieg of a chute mechanism; and means for clearing said chute mechanism of all blanlis not properly arranged therein, said means comprising a toothed rotary member, and a stationary member projecting into the path of said r'o .tary member.

l0. In a hopper mechanism, the combinan tion with a containing receptacle; of a chute mechanism ;V and means for clearing said chute mechanism 'of allL blanks not properly"A tion with a containing receptacle; of achute mechanism; `and means for clearing Vsaid chute mechanism ofA all blanks not properly arranged therein, said means'comprising a fixed `part in t e path of saidV 1 mechanism; and lmeans rotary shaft, and toothed wheels on said shaftl of varying diameters and'arran .ed in relation to said chute mechanism, `w ereby one of said Wheels will rotate upon one side Vthereof and 'the other above the top thereof.

13. In a hopper mechanism, the combination with a containing rece tacle; of a chute or clearing said chutev mechanism of all blanks not properly arranged'therein, said means comprislng a rotary' shaft, toothed wheels on said shaft of .varying diametersV and arranged in relaof said wheels will 'rotate upon one-'side tion to said chute mechanism, wherebyy one thereof y'and the other above the top thereof,

and a fixed member in the path of said toothed Wheels.

14;. In a hopper mechanism, the combination with a containing rece tacle.; of a chute mechanism; and means or clearing 'said chute mechanism of all blanks notl properly arranged therein,- said means comprisln a shaft, a toothed wheel on said shaft havlng a groove in the face thereof and rotating adjacent to the top of said chute mechanism, a

fixed part projecting into saidgroove,and toothed Wheels on said shaft upon either side of the aforesaidl 'toothed wheel, rotating upon'either side of said chute mecha-..1

msm, with a ortion thereof rojectin beev y30-A p a I low the top o said chute mechanism.

15.- I`n` a hopper mechanism, the combinai. tion with a containing receptacle; of a chute mechanism; a cover`- for said chute mechamsm; and means for securing said cover so 35 as to provide for its adjustment toward and away from said Qhutle mechanism, said means comprising an adjustable plate adjacent to the end of said cover, distant -from said containing receptacle, Aand a-block hav- .4-rl ing a pivotal connection with vsaid cove' *1" separ-ably ,and adjustably secured to said containing receptacle. i

In' testimon whereof' I affix my signature' in presence o two witnesses. 1"? 

